Local and organic dishes

RESTAURANT customers are demanding more organic and Welsh ingredients than ever, according to research.

A poll of 200 of the countrys best restaurants found the average spend has increased from 19 in 2006 to 27 in 2007.

Penderyn whisky commissioned the study which found more than 80% of the restaurateurs questioned said their customers bought dishes boasting Welsh ingredients.

Lamb dishes sell best, with fish second and game third.

And this is no surprise considering two thirds of the restaurants have Welsh or Welsh-trained chefs

Organic ingredients also featured highly with their sales growing by 70% since last year.

And wine is also on the up. Restaurants sold 400 more bottles of wine than last year and the average spend on a bottle of wine is now 14.

Stephen Davies, managing director of Penderyn, said, This survey shows that Welsh people are becoming more adventurous in their dining and appreciate the quality of our home-grown talent and ingredients.

It is particularly impressive to see how many establishments have local chefs.